Apparatus for controlling railway switches



Feb. 2, 1937. J. .1. VANHORN 2,059,634

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RAILWAY SWITCHES Original Filed Jim. 17, 1954' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jamem J. Vnbonn HIS ATTORNEY M B B: D N R \ifi L 01% V q 35 I 3 61 6'4 53 Seleozorlieuer Colzzaoz 012 DualColzzr'ol 36 13 86055012 Mae/2:229. X

Feb. 2, 1937. J. J. VANHORN 3 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RAILWAY SWITCHES Original Filed Jan. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fly. 5

INVENTOR Jamar J. Van/202 12 BY flaw/Ma HIS A TTORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RAILWAY SWITCHES Application January 17, 1934, Serial No. 706,992

Renewed September 4, 1935 Claims.

My invention relate to apparatus for controlling railway switches, and particularly to apparatus for controlling switches of the type described from a remote point.

One object of my invention is to decrease to a minimum the number of control line wires required between the control point and the switches.

I will describe three forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View showing a railway switch controlled by one form of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing two switches controlled over the same pair of control line wires by means of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View showing a railway switch controlled by another form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in all three views.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character S designates a railway switch having the usual normal and reverse positions. The switch S is operated by a switch mechanism M which, as here shown, is of the electro-pneumatic type. The mechanism M is provided with the usual normal magnet N reverse magnet R and lock magnet L it being understood that when the normal and lock magnets are both energized, the switch will be moved to its normalposition,whereas when the reverse and lock magnets are both energized, the switch will be moved to its reverse position.

Operatively connected with the switch S is a circuit controller C comprising two contacts |2 and 3Q. Contact l2 is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its full normal position in which is shown in the drawings, while contact 3-5 is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its full reverse position.

The magnets of the switch mechanism M are controlled by the circuit controller C, by checking contacts which are provided on the normal and reverse magnets, and by a manually operable lever L. iIhe lever L may be any one of a number of similar levers in an interlocking machine located at a point remote from the switch, such for example, as in an interlocking cabin, and as here shown is capable of assuming the usual normal position N, reverse position R, normal indicating position B, and reverse indicating position D. Associated with the lever L are a plurality of contacts 5, 6, 1 and 8, adjacent each of which is placed'letters corresponding to the lever positions in which the corresponding contact is closed. For example, contacts 5 and I 8 of lever L are closed when the lever occupies its N position, its B position, or any position intermediate these two positions, while contacts 6 and I are closed when the lever occupies its R position, its D position, or any position intermediate these two positions.

As shown in the drawings, lever L and switch S both occupy their normal positions. Under these conditions, magnets R. and L are both deenergized, but magnet N is energized by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal X of a, suitable source of current not shown in the drawings, through wire'9, contact 5 of lever L, wire 10, current limiting resistance 'II, control line wire l2, back contact l3l3 of reverse magnet R wire I4, and the winding of normal magnet N to the other terminal Y of the source.

I will now assume that the parts are in the positions in which they are shown in the drawings, and that it is desired to reverse the switch S. To do this, lever L is moved from its normal position N to its reverse position R. As soon' as the lever is moved past its normal indicating position B, contact 5 opens and deenergizes the normal magnet N and when the lever reaches its reverse indicating position D, contact I closes and. completes a circuit for the reverse magnet R passing from terminal X through wire I5, contact I of lever L, current limiting resistance ll, control line wire 18, back contact l9l9 of normal magnet N wire 20, and the winding of reverse magnet R to terminal Y. The reverse magnet therefore becomes energized, and opens its back contacts 26 and I3-'-l3 and closes its front contact l3--I3 The closing of front contact |3--l3 of reverse magnet R completes a circuit for lock magnet U, and current flows from terminal X, through thewinding of lock magnet L wire I20, contact 34 of circuit controller C, wire 2 I, back contact 22 of normal magnet N wire 23, front contact i3l3 of reverse magnet R control line WireIZ, current limiting resistance H, wire I23, contact 6 of lever L, and wire 24 to terminal Y of the source; Lock magnet L therefore becomes energized, and since the lock and reverse magnets' are then both energized, the switch moves to its reverse position. When the switch reaches its reverse position, contact 3-4 of circuit controller 0 opens and interrupts the circuit over which the lock magnet was previously energized, thus deenergizing the lock magnet, and hence cutting off the supply of fluid pressure to the switch mechanism M.

If, when the switch occupies its reverse position, the switch should creep away from this position for any reason, contact 34 of circuit controller C will become closed and will=recomplete the circuit for lock magnet L thus causing the mechanism M to automatically restore the switch to its reverse position. When the switch has been restored to its full reverse position, contact 34 will, of course, become opened and deenergize the lock magnet.

When the switch has been moved to its reverse position and it is desired to restore it to its normal position, lever L is restored to its normal position. As soon as the lever is moved away from its reverse indicating position, the circuit which was previously closed for the reverse magnet R is interruptedat contact 1 of lever L, and when the lever reaches its normal indicating position, the previously described circuit for the normal magnet N becomes closed, thus causing the normal magnet to become energized. The energization of the normal magnet causes a circuit for the lock magnet L to become completed, and current flows from terminal X, through the winding of lock magnet L wire I23, contact |--2 of circuit controller C, wire 25, back contact 26 of reverse magnet R wire" 21, front contact l9-I9i of normal magnet N control line wire l8, current limiting resistance [1, and contact 8 of lever L to terminal Y of the source. The resultant energization of the lock magnet causes the switch mechanism to move theswitch to its normal position, and when the switch reaches its normal position, contact l2 of circuit controller C opens and deenergizes the lock magnet. As soon as the lock magnet becomes deenergized, all parts are restored to their normal positions in which they are shown in the drawings.

If,.when the switch occupies its normal position, the switch should creep away from this position, the resultant closing of contact 1-2 of circuit controller C would reenergize the lock magnet and thus cause the switch to be restored to its normal position, the lock magnet, of course, again becoming deenergized as soon as the switch had been returned to its full normal position.

When it is desired to control more than one switch by means of a. single lever, each additional switch is provided with apparatus similar to that associated with the switch S, and the correspond-, ing magnets of each switch mechanism are controlled over the same pair of control line wires by means of parallel circuits. For example, in Fig. 2, I have shown two switches S1 and S2 of a crossover controlled by means of a single lever L1. The apparatus associated with each of these switches is identical with that associated with the switch 8 shown in Fig. l, and the circuits for the corresponding magnets of the two, switch mechanisms M1 and M2 are likewise similar to those of the magnets for the mechanism M, these circuits being connected in multiple across the control line wires l2 and IS in such manner that the control line wires l2 and i8 are common for the two sets of circuits. Since these circuits" are similar to those for the magnets of the mechanism M, it is believed that they will be understood from the foregoing description of Fig. 1 and from an inspection of the drawings without describing them in detail. It will, of course, be

understood that with the parallel circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 2, when the lever is moved from either extreme position to the other extreme position, the same functions will be simultaneously performed at the two switch locations.

Referring now to Fig. 3, in the modified form of my invention here illustrated, the switch S is operated by a switch mechanism M3 of the electric type comprising an electric motor A having an armature 30 and a field winding 3|. motor A is controlled by three relays N a, R and L s which correspond respectively to the three magnets N R and L of the electropneumatic switch mechanism M shown in Fig. 1, and which, for the purpose of maintaining a similarity of nomenclature throughout the specification, I shall hereafter refer to as normal, reverse shunted across its winding 32 a resistor 34 having a high positive temperature coefiicient of resistance. The winding 32 and resistor 34 are adapted to be connected in multiple in the circuit for motor A whenever this motor is operating as will be explained more fully hereinafter, and it will be apparent that when the motor current flows through the resistor 34, this resistor will heat,gthereby causing its resistance to increase, and hence causing the electromotive force impressed across the winding 32 to increase. The parts are so proportioned that when the motor A is being started, or is operating at its normal operating current, the electromotive force which is then impressed across the winding 32 due to the potential drop across the resistor 34 will not be sufiicient to cause the relay OR. to pick up its armature, but that, if the operating current of the'motor increases to an abnormal value, for any reason, during operation of the motor, and remains at this abnormal value for any appreciable length of time, or if the motor continues to operate for an abnormally long interval of time, the drop across the resistor will then increase to a value which will cause the overload relay to pick up.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is as follows: As shown in the drawings, the switch S and lever L both occupy their normal positions, and under these conditions, the motor A, reverse magnet R a, lock magnet L z, and overload relay OR are all deenergized. The normal magnet N s, however, is energized by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal X of the source through wire 9, contact- 5 of lever L, wire ID, current limiting resistor ll, control line wire [2, back contact l3l3 of reverse magnet R z, wire l4, and the winding of normal magnet N s to the other terminal Y of the source.

I will now assume that lever L is moved from its normal position to its reverse position to reverse the switch S. Under these conditions, the resultant opening of contact 5 of lever L deenergizes normal magnet N s, while the resultant closing of contact 1 of lever L completes a circuit for the reverse magnet R z, this latter circuit passing from terminal X, through wire l5, contact 1 of lever L, wire I6, current limiting resist- Theance l1, control line wire l8, back contact l9---l9 of normal magnet N a, wire 20, and the winding of reverse magnet R s to the other terminal Y of the source. Reverse magnet R a therefore becomes energized and opens its back contacts and closes its front contacts. The closing of front contact l3l3 of reverse magnet R a completes a circuit for the lock magnet L s, and current flows from terminal X of the source through the winding of lock magnet L s, wire 35, back contact 35 of overload relay OR, wire 31, contact 3- 3 of circuit controller C, wire 38, front contact I3i3 of magnet R s, control line wire [2, current limiting resistance I l wire I23, contact 6 of lever L, and wire 24 to terminal Y. The lock magnet L s therefore now becomes energized and completes a circuit for the motor A passing from terminal X, through the resistor 34 and the winding 32 of overload relay OR in multiple, front contact 39 of lock magnet L s, wires 40 and ll, front contact 42 of reverse magnet R s, wires 43 and M, armature 30 of motor A, wires 45 and 46, front contact 41 of reverse magnet R 3, wire 48, and field winding 3! of motor A to terminal Y. The current flowing in this circuit causes the motor to operate in the direction to move the switch from its normal to its reverse position, and when the switch reaches its full reverse position, contact 3 l of circuit controller C opens and deenergizes the lock magnet thereby deenergizing the motor A.

If, during the movement of the switch to its reverse position, the switch should become obstructed so that the motor current increased to an abnormal value, the overload relay OR would then pick up for the reasons previously pointed out and when this relay picked up, it would interrupt the circuit which was previously closed for the lock magnet, thereby deenergizing the lock magnet and hence deenergizing the motor. After the overload relay has once picked up under the conditions just described, it will remain picked up until the operator operates the lever L to its normal position to deenergize the reverse magnet, by virtue of a holding circuit which passes from terminal X, through front contact of reverse magnet R z, wire 5!, back contact 52-52 of normal magnet N z, wire 53, front contact 54 of overload relay OR, and winding 33 of overload relay OR to terminal Y.

When the switch has been moved to its reverse position in the manner previously described and it is desired to restore the switch to its normal position, lever L is restored to its normal position. The movement of the lever to its normal position interrupts the circuit which was previously closed for the reverse magnet R s and when the lever reaches its normal indicating position, if the back contacts of the reverse magnet are then closed, the normal magnet will become energized over the previously described circuit for this magnet including back contact l3-li of the reverse magnet. When the normal magnet becomes energized, it completes a circuit for the lock magnet L s and current flows from terminal X, through the winding of the lock magnet L a, wire 35, back contact 36 of overload relay OR, wires 3'! and 55, contact l2 of circuit controller C, wire 56, front contact i'-i-i9 of normal magnet N s, control line wire 48, current limiting resistance IT, and contact 8 of lever L to terminal Y. The lock magnet therefore becomes energized and completes a circuit for motor A passing from terminal X, through resistor 34, and winding 32 of relay OR connected in multiple, front contact 39 of lock magnet L s, wire 49, front contact 56 of normal magnet N s, wires 51 and 45, armature 30 of motor A, wires 44 and 53, front contact 58 of normal magnet N s, wire 60, and field winding 3! of motor A to terminal X. The current flowing in this circuit flows in the direction to cause the motor to move the switch to its normal position and when the switch reaches its normal position, contact of circuit controller C opens and deenergizes the lock magnet thereby deenergizing the motor. When the motor becomes deencrgized, all parts are restored to their normal positions in which they are shown in the drawmgs.

If, when the switch is being moved toits normal position in the manner just described, the movement of the switch is prematurely arrested for any reason, overload relay OR will again become energized and will thus interrupt the circuit for the lock magnet, thereby causing the lock magnet to become deenergized and deenergize the motor. Furthermore, when the overload relay becomes energized under these conditions, it completes a holding circuit passing from terminal X, through front contact 52Z--52 of normal magnet N s, wire 53, front contact 54 of overload relay OR, and the winding 33 of overload relay OR to terminal Y. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the overload relay becomes energized, under these conditions, it will remain energized until the lever L is operated to its reverse position to deenergize the normal magnet.

If the switch mechanism M3 is of the dual control type, it is desirable to prevent operation of the switch from the tower by means of the lever except when the selector lever of the switch machine occupies the position for power operation of the switch mechanism. To accomplish this result, I provide the overload relay OR with an auxiliary circuit which is controlled by a contact 5! which is operated by the selector lever and which becomes closed as soon as the selector lever of the switch mechanism is moved away from the position for power operation. This circult will be obvious from an inspection of the drawings without further description. When this circuit becomes closed, the overload relay will pick up, and will subsequently remain energized even though the contact 6! is then immediately opened, by virtue of one or the other of the.

previously described holding circuits for this relay. The energization of the overload relay prevents the energization of the lock magnet L, and

as a result after the switch has once been operated by hand, it cannot be restored to power operation until the operator at the tower first reverses the lever L to deenergize the normal or reverse magnet which was previously energized so as to interrupt the holding circuit for the overload relay. 7

One advantage of apparatus embodying my invention for controlling railway switches is that the number of the parts are reduced to a minimum thus reducing the cost of the apparatus to a minimum.

Another advantage of apparatus embodying my invention for controlling railway switches is that the apparatus only requires two control line wires for each lever, regardless of the number of switches which are controlled by the lever.

-A further advantage of apparatus embodying my invention for controlling railway switches is that the control circuits have all the protective features against grounds, crosses and broken wires which are inherent in a polarized circuit.

Although I have herein shown and described only three forms of apparatus embodying my invention for controlling railway switches, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, a normal magnet having a back contact, a reverse magnet having a back contact, and a lock magnet, means for moving said switch to its normal position when said normal and lock magnets are both energized and to its reverse position when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized, means including said reverse magnet back contact for energizing said normal magnet, means including said normal magnet backcontact for energizing said reverse magnet, means for energizing said lock magnet when the normal magnet is energized and the switch occupies any position but its normal position, and other means for energizing the lock magnet when the reverse magnet is energized and the switch occupies any position but its reverse position.

2. In combination, a railway switch having nor mal and reverse positions, a normal'magnet, a reverse magnet, and a lock magnet, means for moving said switch to its normal position when said normal and lock magnets are both energized and to its reverse position when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized, means for energizing said normal magnet when and only when said reverse magnet is deenergized, means for energizing said reverse magnet when and only when said normal magnet is deenergized, a circuit controller controlled in accordance with the position of said switch and having a first contact which is closed when the switch occupies any position but its normal position and a second contact which is closed when the sw tch occupies any position but its reverse pos tion, means effective when said normal magnet is energized and said first contact 1s closed ior energizing said lock magnet, and means efiective when said reverse magnet is energized and said second contact is closed for energizing said look combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, a normal magnet having front and back contacts, a reverse magnet having front and back contacts, a lock magnet, means for moving said switch to its normal pos1- tion when said normal and lock magnets are both energized, means for moving said switch to its reverse position when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized, means including a back contact of said reverse magnet for energizing said normal magnet, means including a back contact of said normal magnet for energizing said reverse magnet, a circuit controller controlled by said switch and having a first contact which is closed'when the switch occupies any position but its normal position and a second contact which is closed when the switch occupies any position but its reverse position; a first circuit for said lo k magnet including said first contact, a back contact of Said reverse net, and a front contact of Said normal net; and a second circuit for said 100k magnet including Said second contact,

a back contact of said normal" magnet, and a front contact of said reverse magnet.

4. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions; a normal magnet, a reverse magnet, and a lock magnet, means for moving said switch to its normal position when said normal and lock magnets are both energized and to its reverse position when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized, means for energizing said normal magnet when and only when said reverse magnet'is deenergized, means for energizing said reverse magnet when and only when said normal magnet is deenergized; means for energizing said lock magnet when the normal magnet is energized, the reverse magnet is deenergized and the switch occupies any position but its normal position; and other means for energizing said lock magnet when the reverse magnet is energized, the normal magnet is deenergized, and the switch occupies any position but its reverse position.

5. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, a normal magnet, a reverse magnet, and a lock magnet, means for moving said switch to its normal position when said normal and lock magnets are both energized and to its reverse position when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse positions, means for energizing said normal magnet when said lever occupies its normal position and said reverse magnet is deenergized, means for energizing said revcrse'magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position and said normal magnet is deenergized; means for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its normal position, said normal magnet is energized, said reverse magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies any position but its normal position; and other means for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position, said reverse magnet is energized, said normal magnet is deenergized, and said switch occupies any position but its reverse position.

6. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, an electropneumatic switch mechanism provided with a normal magnet, a reverse magnet and a lock magnet and effective for moving the switch to its normal position when the normal and lock magnets are both energized and to its reverse position when the reverse and lock magnets are both energized, said normal and reverse magnets both being provided with front contacts which are closed only when the associated magnet is energized and with back contacts which are closed only when the associated magnet is deenergized, a lever having normal and reverse positions; a circuit for said normal magnet including a first contact of said lever which is closed when the lever occupies its normal position, a first control line wire, and a back contact of said reverse magnet; a circuit for said reverse magnet including a second contact of said lever which is closed when the lever occupies its reverse position, a second control line wire, and a back contact of said normal magnet; a circuit controller controlled by said switch and provided with a first contact which is closed when the switch occupies any position but its normal position and with a second contact which is closed when the switch occupies any position but its reverse position; a first circuit for said lock magnet including said first contact of said circuit controller, a back contact of said reverse magnet, a front contact of said normal magnet, said second control line wire, and a third contact of said lever which is closed when the lever occupies its normal position; and a second circuit for said lock magnet including said second contact of said circuit controller, a back contact of said normal magnet, a front contact of said reverse magnet, said first control line wire, and a fourth contact of said lever which is closed when the lever occupies its reverse position.

7. In combination, a plurality of railway switches each having normal and reverse positions; a normal magnet, a reverse magnet and a lock magnet associated with each switch, each said normal and reverse magnet being provided with front contacts which are closed only when the associated magnet is energized and with back contacts which are closed only when the associated magnet is deenergized, means effective when the normal magnet and the lock magnet associated with a switch are both energized for moving such switch to its normal position, means effective when the reverse magnet and the lock magnet associated with a switch are both energized for moving such switch to its reverse position, a circuit controller associated with each switch, each said circuit controller being provided with a first contact which is closed when the associated switch occupies any position but its normal position and with a second contact which is closed when the associated switch occupies any position but its reverse position, two control line Wires leading from said lever to all of said switches; a circuit for the normal magnet associated With each switch including a first contact of said lever which is closed when the lever occupies its normal position, a first one of said control line wires, and a back contact of the associated reverse magnet; a circuit for the reverse magnet associated with each switch including a second contact of said lever when the lever occupies its reverse position, the second control line wire, and a back contact of the associated normal magnet; a first circuit for the lock magnet associated with each switch including the first contact of the associated circuit controller, a front contact of the associated normal magnet, a back contact of the associated reverse magnet, said second control wire and a third contact of said lever which is closed when the lever occupies its normal position; and a second circuit for the lock magnet associated with each switch including the second contact of the associated circuit controller, a front contact of the associated reverse magnet, a back contact of the associated normal magnet, said first control wire and a fourth contact of said lever which is closed in the reverse position of the lever.

8. A manually operable lever having normal and reverse positions, a first and a second control line wire leading from said lever to said switch, means including a first contact of said lever and first control line wire for energizing said normal magnet when said lever occupies its normal position and said reverse magnet is deenergized; means including a second contact of said lever and said second control line wire for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its normal position, said normal magnet is energized, said reverse magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies any position but its normal position; means including a third contact of said lever and said second control line wire for energizing said reverse magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position and said normal magnet is deenergized; and means including a fourth contact of said lever and said first control line wire for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position, said reverse magnet is energized, said normal magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies any position but its reverse position;

9. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, an electric motor for moving said switch to its normal and reverse positions; a normal magnet, a reverse magnet and a lock magnet associated with said switch; means effective when said normal and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motor in the direction to move said switchto its normal position, means efiective when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motor in the direction to move said switch to its reverse position, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse positions, a first and a second control line wire leading from said lever to said switch, means including said first control line wire for energizing said normal magnet when said lever occupies its normal position and said reverse magnet is deenergized, means including said second control line wire for energizing said reverse magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position and said normal magnet is deenergized; means including said second control line wire for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its normal position, said normal magnet is energized, said reverse magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies any position but its normal position; and means including said first control line wire for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position, said reverse magnet is energized, said normal magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies any position but its reverse position.

10. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, an electric motor for moving said switch to its normal and reverse positions; a normal magnet, a reverse magnet and a lock magnet associated with said switch;

means effective when said normal and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motor in the direction to move said switch to its normal position, means effective when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motor in the direction to move said switch to its reverse position, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse positions, a first and a second control line wire leading from said lever to said switch, means including said first control line wire for energizing said normal magnet when said lever occupies its normal position and said reverse magnet is deenergized,- means including said second control line wire for energizing said reverse magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position and said normal magnet is deenergized; means including said second control line wire for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its normal position, said normal magnet is energized, said re'-' verse magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies any position but its normal position;- means including said first control line'wire for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position, said reverse magnet is energized, said normal magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies anyp'osition but its reverse position, and means for deenergizing said lock magnet if said motor draws an abnormal current when said lock magnet is energized.

1 11. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, an electric motor r for moving said switch to its normal and reverse positions; a normal magnet, a reverse magnet anda lock magnet associated with said switch; means effective when said normal and lock magnets ,are both energized for energizing said motor in the direction to move said switch to its normal position, means effective when said reverse and lock'magnets are both energized for energizing said motor in the direction to move said switch to its reverse position, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse positions, a first and a second control line wire leading from said lever to said switch, means including said first control line wire for energizing said normal magnet when said lever occupies its normal position and said reverse magnet is deenergized, means including said second control line wire for energizing said reverse magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position and said normal magnet is deenergized; means including said second control line wire for energizing said lock magnet when said leveroccupies its normal position, said normal magnet is energized, said reverse magnet is deenergized and said switch occupies any position but its normal position; means including said first control line wire for energizing said lock magnet when said lever occupies its reverse position, said'reverse magnet is energized, said normal magnet is deenergized, and said switch occupies any position but its reverse position; means for deenergizing said lock magnet if said motor draws an abnormal current when said lock magnet is energized; and means for subsequently maintaining said lock magnet deenergized after it becomes deenergized due to said motor drawing an abnormal current until said lever is moved to the position opposite to that which it then occupies.

12. In combination, a railway switch having normal andreverse positions, an electric motor for moving said switch to its normal and reverse positions,-a circuit controller associated with said switch and providedwith a first contact which is closed when said switch occupies any position but its normal position and with a second contact which is closed when said switch occupies any position but its reverse position; a normal magnet, a reverse magnet, and a lock magnet associated with said switch; an overload relay provided with two windings, a resistor having a high positive temperature coefficient of resistance, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse positions and provided with a first and a second contact whichare closed in the normal position of the lever and with a third and a fourth contact which are closed in the reverse position of the lever, a first and a second control line wire extending from the lever to the switch, means effective when said normal and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motorconnected in series with said resistor and the first winding of said overload relay connected in multiple in such manner that said motor will move said switch to its normal position, means effective when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motor connected in series with said'resistor and the first winding of said overload relay connected in multiple in such manner that said motor will move said switch to its reverse position, a circuit for said normal magnet including said first contact of said lever, said first control line wire and a back contact controlled by said reverse magnet; a circuit for said reverse magnet including said third contact of said lever, said second control line wire, and a back contact controlled by saidnormal magnet; a first circuit for said lock magnet including a back contact of said overload relay, said first contact of said circuit controller, a front contact controlled by said normal magnet, said second control line wire, and said second contact of said lever; a second circuit for said lock magnet including said back contact of said overload relay, said second contact of said circuit controller, a front contact controlled by said reverse magnet, said first control line wire, and said fourth contact of said lever; a first holding circuit for said overload,

relay including thesecond winding of said relay, a front contact controlled by said normal magnet and a front contact of said overload relay, and a second holding circuit for said overload relay including the second winding of said relay, a back contact controlled by said normal magnet, a front contact controlled by said reverse magnet, and said front contact of said overload relay.

13. In combination, a railway switch having normal and reverse positions, an electric motor for moving said switch to its normal and reverse positions, a circuit controller associated with said switch and provided with a first contact which is closed when said switch occupies any position but its normal position and with a second contact which is closed when said switch occupies any position but its reverse position; a normal magnet, a reverse magnet, and a lock magnet associated with said switch; an overload relay provided with two windings, a resistor having a high positive temperature coefficient of resistance, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse positions and provided with a first and a second contact which are closed in the normal position of the lever and with a third and a fourth contact which are closed in the reverse position of the lever, a first and a second control line wire extending from the lever to the switch, means effective when said normal and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motor connected in series with said resistor and the first winding of said overload relay connected in multiple in such manner that said motor will move said switch to its normal position, means effective when said reverse and lock magnets are both energized for energizing said motor connected in series with said resistor and the first winding of said overload relay connected in multiple in such manner that said motor will move said switch to its reverse position, a circuit for said normal magnet including said first contact of said lever, said first control line wire and a back contact controlled by said reverse magnet; a circuit for said reverse magnet including said third contact of said lever, said second control line wire, and a back contact controlled by said normal magnet; a first circuit for said lock magnet including a back contact of said overload relay, said first contact of said circuit controller, a front contact controlled by said normal magnet, said second control line wire, and said second contact of said lever; a second circuit for said lock magnet including said back contact of said overload relay, said second contact of said circuit controllena front contact controlled by said re-' verse magnet, said first control line wire, and said fourth contact of said lever; a first holding circuit for said overload relay including the second winding of said relay, a front contactcontrolled by said normal magnet and a front contact of said overload relay, a second holding circuit for said overload relay including the second winding of said relay, a back contact controlled by said normal magnet, a front contact controlled by said reverse magnet, and said front contact of said overload relay, a selector lever contact, and a circuit for said overload relay including said selector lever contact and the second winding of said overload relay.

14. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, front and back contacts controlled by said normal and reverse magnets and each front contact arranged to be closed only when its magnet is energized and each back contact arranged to be closed only when its magnet is deenergized, a first contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said switch is in its normal position or in any intermediate position but arranged to be open when said switch is in its reverse position, a second contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said switch is in its reverse position or in any intermediate position but arranged to be open when said switch is in its normal position, a manually operable lever having normal and reverse contacts closed by said lever when said lever is operated to its normal and reverse positions respectively, a circuit including a normal contact of said lever and a back contact of said reverse magnet for energizing said normal magnet, a second circuit including a reverse contact of said lever and a back contact of said normal magnet for energizing said reverse magnet, a normal circuit including a normal contact of said lever and a front contact of said normal magnet as well as a back contact of said reverse magnet and the second contact of said switch for energizing said lock magnet, a reverse circuit including a reverse contact of said lever and a front contact of said reverse magnet as well as a back contact of said normal magnet and the first contact of said switch for energizing said lock magnet, and means controlled by said normal and lock magnets when contemporaneously energized for operating said switch to the normal position and controlled by said reverse and lock magnets when contemporaneously energized for operating said switch to the reverse position.

15. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, front and back contacts controlled by said normal and reverse magnets and each front contact arranged tobe closed only when its magnet is energized and each back contact arranged to be closed only when its magnet is deenergized, a first contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said switch is in its normal position or in any intermediateposition but arranged to be open when said switch is in its reverse position, a second contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said switch is in its reverse position or in any intermediate position but arranged to be open when said switch is in its normal position, a device manually operable to a normal and a reverse condition, a circuit controlled by said device in its normal condition for energizing said normal magnet, a circuit controlled by said device in its reverse condition for energizing said reverse magnet, a normal circuit controlled by said device in its normal condition and including a front contact of said normal magnet as well as a back contact. of said; reverse magnet and. the

second contact of said switch for energizing said lock magnet, a reverse circuit controlled by said device in its reverse condition and including a front contact of said reverse magnet as well as a back contact of said normal magnet and the first contact of said switch for energizing said lock magnet, and means controlled bysaid normal and lock magnets when energized for operating said switch to the normal position and controlled by said reverse and lock magnets when energized for operating said switch to the reverse position. 16. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, front and back contacts controlled by said normal and reverse magnets and each front contact arranged to be closed only when its magnet is energized and each back contact arranged to be closed only when its magnet is deenergized, a first contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said switch is in its normal position or in any intermediate position but arranged to be open when said switch is in its reverse position, a second contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed when said switch is in its reverse position or in any intermediate position but arranged to be open when said switch is in its normal position, manually controllable means for at times energizing said normal magnet and for at other times energizing said reverse magnet, a normal circuit controlled by a front contact of said normal magnet and by a back contact of said reverse magnet as well as by the second contact of said switch for energizing said lock magnet, a reverse circuit controlled by a front contact of said reverse magnet and by a backcontact of said normal magnet as well as by the first contact of said switch for energizing said lock magnet, and means controlled by said normal and lock magnets when energized for operating said switch to the normal position and controlled by said reverse and lock magnets when energized for operating said switch to the reverse position.

17. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, front and back contacts controlled by said normal and reverse magnets and each front contact arranged to be closed only when its magnet is energized and each back contact arranged to be closed only when its magnet is deenergized, manually controllable means for at times energizing said normal magnet and for at other times energizing said reverse magnet,

a normal circuit controlled by a front contact of said normal magnet and by a back contact of said reverse magnet for energizing said lock magnet if said switch isout of its normal position, a reverse circuit controlled by a front contact of said reverse magnet and by a back contact of said normal magnet for energizing said lock magnet if said switch is out of its reverse position, and means controlled by said normal and lock magnets when energized for operating said switch to the normal position and controlled by said reverse and lock magnets when energized for operating said switch to the reverse position.

18. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, a front contact controlled by said normal magnet and a front contact controlled by said reverse magnet each arranged to be closed when its magnet is energized but to be open when its magnet is deenergized, manually controllable means for at times energizing said normal magnet and for at other '15.

times energizing said reverse magnet, a normal circuit controlled by the front contact of said normal magnet for energizing said lock magnet if said switch is out of its normal position, a reverse circuit controlled by the front contact of said reverse magnet for energizing said lock magnet if said switch is out of its-reverse position, and means controlled by said normal and reverse magnets when energized for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized.

19. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, manually controllable means for at times energizing said normal magnet and for at other times energizing said reverse magnet, a normal circuit controlled in conjunction with said switch and controlled by said normal magnet for energizing said lock magnet if said switch is out of its normal position and if said normal magnet is energized, a reverse circuit controlled in conjunction with said switch and controlled by said reverse magnet for energizing said lock magnet if said switch is out of its reverse position and if said reverse magnet is energized, and means controlled by said normal and reverse magnets when energized for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized.

20. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, manually controllable means controlled by said reverse magnet inthe deenergized condition for at times energizing said normal magnet and controlled by said normal magnet in the deenergized condition for at other times energizing said reverse magnet, a first contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed whenever said switch is in its normal position or in any intermediate position but arranged to be open when said switch is in its reverse position, a second contact controlled by said switch and arranged to be closed Whenever said switch is in its reverse position or in any intermediate position but arranged to be open when said switch is in its normal position, a normal circuit controlled by said second contact and by said manually controllable means for energizing said lock magnet if said manually controllable means is in the condition for energizing said normal magnet, a reverse circuit controlled by said first contact and by said manually controllable means for energizing said lock magnet if said manually controllable means is in the condition for energizing said reverse magnet, and means controlled by said normal and reverse magnets when energized for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized.

21. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, a first and a second conductor, a manually controlled circuit including said first conductor for at times energizing said normal magnet, a second manually controlled circuit including said second conductor for at times energizing said reverse magnet, a third circuit including said first conductor and controlled by said reverse magnet for energizing said lock magnet when said reverse magnet is energized and said switch is out of its reverse position, a fourth circuit including said second conductor and controlled by said normal magnet for ener gizing said lock magnet when said normal magnet is energized and said switch is out of its normal position, and means controlled by said normal and reverse magnets when energized for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized.

22. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, a first and a second conductor, a manually controlled circuit including said first conductor and controlled by said reverse magnet in the deenergized condition for at times energizing said normal magnet, a second manually controlled circuit including said second conductor and controlled by said normal magnet in the deenergized condition for at times energizing said reverse magnet, a third manually controlled circuit including said first conductor for energizing said lock magnet if said switch is out of its reverse position, a fourth manually controlled circuit including said second conductor for energizing said lock magnet if said switch is out of its normal position, and means controlled by said normal and reverse magnets when energized for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized.

23. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, manually controllable means for at times energizing said lock magnet and said normal magnet and for at other times energizing said lock magnet and said reverse magnet, a normal and a reverse circuit controlled by said normal and reverse magnets when energized for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized, an overload relay controlled by said normal and reverse operating circuits and arranged to prevent energization of said lock magnet if said operating circuits draw an excessive current for an excessive period of time, and a holding circuit for retaining said overload relay in the condition to prevent energization of said lock magnet until both said normal and reverse magnets are again deenergized. 24. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal and a reverse magnet and also a lock magnet for said switch, manually controllable means for at times energizing said lock magnet and said normal magnet and for at other times energizing said lock magnet and said reverse magnet, a normal and a reverse circuit controlled by said normal and reverse magnets when energized for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized, an overload relay controlled by said normal and reverse operating circuits and arranged to prevent energization of said lock magnet if said operating circuits draw an excessive current for an excessive period of time, and holding means for retaining said overload relay in the condition to prevent energization of said lock magnet until thereis a further operation of said manually controllable means.

reverse positions respectively if said lock magnet is also energized, an overload relay controlled by said normal and reverse operating circuits and arranged to prevent energization of said lock magnet if said operating circuits draw an excessive current for an excessive period of time, an auxiliary manually controlled circuit for at times operating said overload relay toprevent energize,- tion of said lock magnet, and holding means for retaining said overload relay in the condition to prevent energization of said lock magnet until there is a. further operation of said manually controllable means.

JAMES J. VANHORN. 

